Since their
inception in 2012, NIBIRU gave vent to their ritualized improvisation
urge. They totally refused the concept of ordinary song form, leaving
their energy flow, and channelling that into live recordings. "The
first 2 years of NIBIRU were a time of empathic creativity. We used
to communicate in a roundabout way. Improvisation was instinctive
during the making of CAOSGON. Some kind of song structure was there,
but in fact we went through an explosion of freedom in writing and
playing. NETRAYONI is the zenith of NIBIRU’s improvisation. Maybe
those times have been unique, most likely they are”, states the
bassist RI.

In Fall 2014 NIBIRU
signed to Argonauta Records, and CAOSGON and NETRAYONI (originally
self-released) were reissued by the label in January 2015.

Following their
philosophical path, the band crafts PADMALOTUS ("padma"
means lotus in Tibetan language). Once again, the lyrics are in
Enochian language. “We have chosen to reveal our invocations using
this ancient language, in order to express ourselves in many
different ways. Our lyrics are very personal and can’t be compared
to traditional patterns. Enochian language allows phonetics to take
space, so that our feelings can be expressed without being
trivialized by constrictive words”, explains Ardath.

Through PADMALOTUS,
out in May 2015 via Argonauta Records, NIBIRU reach their artistic
peak. Or at least until the next expressions of their invocations.

Review:

Nibiru
have came a long way when they first contacted me back in late 2012
to check out their music video for Invokation
IV. Heru-khentan-maati- which
actually got banned from YouTube for a short period of time. The
video captured this bands strange and wonderful sound that they call
- Psych Ritual Sludge. Since then they've released two albums -
Casogon and Netrayoni Ritual Parts 1 and 2. Nibiru's music has
evolved with their last two albums from a more Drone/Ambient/Doom/Psych Sludge with their first album to a more
primal and experimental sound with their last double album.

Within
that time they've won their fair share of admirers within the Sludge
Metal community. Though you need to be in a certain mood to listen to
Nibiru's music as nothing is ever as straight-forward in Nibiru's
world. Nibiru return with their eagerly awaited 3rd album -
Padmalotus. This album sees Nibiru takes elements from their previous
albums and give it a more crazier and psychedelic style of twisted
Ambient/Drone/Doom/Sludge. Nibiru say this album is a major step
forward for them as a band compared to their previous two albums. And
I have to say I agree with that statement as Padmalotus sees Nibiru
at the height of their musical talents.

The
album demands your full attention as opening track - Krim - creates a
mysterious and challenging world where the vocals are sang thru
distinctive chants that appeared on the first two records. Though
there a lot more easy to understand here. Nibiru merge Drone,
Ambient, Noise and Psychedelic Nightmarish Doomish vibes. I've
described these guys as Uformammut meets BONG in the past and that's
about as close as a description I can possibly get. However, Nibiru
take their sound onto the next level of distorted and twisted
visions. Krim is an epic 12 minute head-trip of the highest order.
Vocals drift from one spaced out dimension to the next and the music
comes across like a distorted drone based battle.

Padmalotus
is a very dark album as Nibiru venture further into the Ritual Sludge
part of their music. It can be very primal at times with the band
trying to survive from their own musical landscapes. When Nibiru
venture into fast-paced territory on the 2nd song - ASHMADAEVA -
another psychedelic epic assault on the senses though at least the
band offer a more traditional structured song compared to the
previous track. It's still another noisy and experimental affair with
the ritual sludge riffs being built around Ardath's intense vocals.

The
vocals are sung in the Enochian Language and the album has a deep
meaningful and complex message that may be too jarring for some
people to listen to. Well if they can understand it that is. I'm just
going to focus on the music as I will admit I haven't a clue what the
band are singing about, though that’s one of the albums strong
points. As it dares to be brave, bold and different to other Sludge
Metal albums currently out there. The album is packed full of
progressive cosmic wonder as each passing second expands into minutes
without you ever realising it.

The
albums other two epic songs - Trikona and Khem - follow the same
dark, twisted and experimental path with the emphasis firmly on noise
and volume. Nibiru add a few moments of spine-tingling horror
atmospherics with some very haunting soundbytes. The band play some
of their more faster drone based riffs on the second half of the
album as Nibiru become ever more comfortable with their role as
Masters Of Twisted Violent Psychedelic Sludge Overlords. A word of
warning though - Khem is on for 28 mins and it’s one song that I
had to take a break from as the guitars can be quite punishing at
times. Especially with the amount of reverb and feedback Nibiru have
created here. Still my favourite track off the album though. Wait
until you experience it for yourself.

Do
I like this album? Yeah I do. I class Padmalotus as Nibiru's most
defining work to date. It won't be for everyone as it's a complex and
wonderfully strange experience that runs for 66 mins or so. Nibiru
have proven once again they are one of the most daring and creative
forces in Italian Sludge Metal next to Ufomammut. Padmalotus is a
thrilling and bold album that will rank as one of my albums of the
year. No Question.

Thanks
to Gero at Argonauta Records and Barbara at NeeCee Agency for the
promo. Padmalotus will be available to buy on CD/DD from May 14th
2015 from Argonauta Records.

Band Submissions

To those bands who have recently issued their first demo or album via bandcamp and would like to be featured on our 666 Pack Review or considered for a full review or stream please contact Aaron via email including your EPK, band bio, album file or download code, including artwork.

To those bands issuing their sophomore record and so on and would like to be considered for a review or stream on the blog. Get in touch using the same address above

We will consider bands from any genre but exclusively stoner, sludge, doom, psych, post-metal, experimental, black-metal etc. (Whilst I would like to respond to every email, this is not always possible.) Thanks